Congress appoints Sarat Patnaik as new OPCC chief
By Sukant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, May 23: Putting an end to all speculations, the Congress high command Sonia Gandhi on Monday appointed senior leader Sarat Patnaik as the new president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC).
The development came after Congress president Sonia Gandhi accepted the resignation of Niranjan Patnaik from the post of OPCC president.
“Congress president has appointed Sarat Patnaik as the president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing PCC president Niranjan Patnaik,” a press release by the AICC said.
Expressing gratitude to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Patnaik said, “Efforts will be taken towards strengthening the party organization. We will fight the elections by taking all leaders and workers together. The preparations for the crucial 2024 elections will begin after Brajarajnagar bypoll.”
It is for the second time that Sarat Pattnayak will assume charge of the State Congress. Earlier, he had served as PCC chief from 2001 to 2004.
Meanwhile, the outgoing PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik took to Twitter to congratulate Sarat Patnaik on his appointment as the head of Odisha Congress unit.
“I am glad to know that Sarat Patnaik has been appointed as the new president of OPCC. I am confident that under his able leadership, Odisha Congress will touch new heights,” Niranjan wrote in his message.
He also thanked Rahul Gandhi for all his support during his tenure as OPCC president.
